e-Brief for the Export Strategy-Maker

Introduction

Simply stated, the national export strategy-maker’s priority should be to ensure that:

• National policy creates and maintains a business environment which reinforces existing competitive advantages; and
• The mix of financial, technical and promotional services available to the private sector leads directly to the development of new areas of international competitiveness.

e-Competency and the acquisition of e-commerce capability have become key elements of international competitiveness. Together, they can result in the streamlining of export channels and the development of direct supplier-buyer relationships. They can make a significant contribution to the reduction of transaction costs. And they certainly lead to speedier and more flexible responses to new commercial opportunities.

Yet, when participating in inter-ministerial consultation on policies issues relating to the "digital economy", or when endeavouring to design suitable e-competency support programmes targeting the business sector, the export strategy-maker is likely to encounter concepts (and jargon) with which he has limited experience and familiarity. This "e-Brief for the Export Strategy-Maker" is intended to explain at least some of the complexities and to provide a series of "guiding principles" and "checklists" to assist decision-makers.

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